(Part Five - Everyday Suprises) I came to realize finally one day, that I was REALLY a part of a family now.. after the little field trip, I decided to make sure I earned that For the next several weeks were incredibly enjoyable As I came to accept that I belonged, For the first time since my parents died, I belonged..... This one day was not unlike any of the others, I had gotten up early To the revelry of Ayeka harping on a lazy Reoko as usual To Sasami being wizardlike in the kitchen; I helped out a bit too To Kiyone blasting at Mihoshi while she put her uniform on all the wrong ways; I keep getting chuckles out of that.... I helped Tenchi with the upkeep of the Shinto gardens, before heading to school Thanks goodness, Washu was at it again when Tenchi and I left Tsunami tagged along as usual to the bus stop... told me about showing me something soon.. My curiosity piqued as the bus took off, aint it the way... As Tenchi And I grumbled about the long walk up, we saw the Ryu-ou-oh tree blossoming in the afternoon sun.. We got the usual greeting at home, Poor Tenchi.... *GASP* ..Tsunami! We spent the evening the usual way, chaos..... and good tea.. Saturday gave me a chance to really help out, started with training w/ Yosho and Tenchi.. Then some housework with Sasami again, Tsunami stuck to me like glue all day I wonder if Reoko and Mihoshi are related somehow... LAZY... Ayeka and the Guardians (As I call them..) ..also did a little help as well, until Reoko woke up anyway...... After the dust settled, Ayeka and Reoko were given the appropriate task of clean-up by Yosho.... Sasami was sent off w/ Ryo-Oki to play... Mihoshi and Kiyone... uhh.. don't ask.. Tenchi, Tsunami, and I helped to fix a hole in the outside wall.. Washu was nowhere to be seen, as I found fortuitous in retrospect.. It was while I was describing the benefits of depressant medication, that Yosho called Tenchi to another side task.. Tsunami and I continued the job together, nothing special I thought; I was hammering a board Tsunami was holding.. When I huge explosion from inside caused the both of us to fall to the ground I found out it was Little Washu later, but that wasn't on my mind at that moment.. I had fallen hard on my back, no injury; as Tsunami fell on top of me.. She asked if I was ok, replied in kind; and was about to help get us up When I noticed Tsunami looking softly at me, I simply froze The air around us went completely quiet at that moment; we soundlessly agreed to the next action... I felt the initial kiss as a flare through my soul, I simply let go after that.. The ensuing eternity was beyond blissful, as we kissed like it was our last opportunity to... The embrace was like the sunlight was covering us in a warm blanket And is was an eternity, beyond anything I would feel again; I was giddy and sorrowful at that moment... We then realized that we were watched intently... We saw that EVERYONE had watched for the entire five minutes of that interlude I must have turned a fierce lobster red... and Reoko/Ayeka were taking notes AGAIN!! We could do nothing but laugh after that, for quite a while... We ended the evening in realization that things had changed again.. I also got real indications of how much I belonged, the dinner was more directed at MY palette that night.... I could only guess at what my life would take in direction next, a little worry that I had TOO much attention given.. But I was part of family now, just a new facet in the Misaki jewel The following events, much to my chagrin and joy; were beyond anything.. That a simple mortal like me could begin to comprehend It all erupted after my birthdate was discovered... Nothing was the same after that!! (End Part Five)